Great Ocean Road

Following the south west coast of Victoria, the spectacular Great Ocean Road journey begins in Geelong and winds through laidback coastal towns and maritime villages, past stunning beaches and beautiful natural attractions. One of the most spectacular natural attractions in Victoria can be found near Port Campbell; the striking rock stacks known as the Twelve Apostles.

Coastal resort towns such as Lorne offer the perfect seaside escape, with beautiful beaches, water sports and lush rainforest in the nearby Otway Ranges. Torquay is Victoria’s surfing capital. Here you’ll find a great beach culture, protected family friendly beaches and surf beaches. Nearby Bells Beach is the venue of the world renowned Rip Curl Pro surfing championship.

Discover the region’s rich maritime past at historic towns such as Warrnambool on the Shipwreck Coast. Much of this history is on show at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, a re-created nineteenth century port. The city is also a Southern Right whale nursery from June to September.

The Great Ocean Road is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most spectacular coastal drives.

Great Ocean Road Map

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Great Ocean Road Map - Legend

Multiple Hotels

Hotel

Click on the map markers for more information. Hover over the map to zoom in & out or see satellite & terrain views.

At The Heads Cafe, Barwon Heads

Great Ocean Road: Where To Go / Sightseeing

Twelve Apostles Marine National Park

The iconic golden cliffs and crumbling pillars of the Twelve Apostles can be found seven kilometres east of Port Campbell. As well as the above water beauty, spectacular arches, canyons, fissures, gutters and deep sloping reefs make up the environment below the waves. Powerful waves of the Southern Ocean constantly pound the coastline which has shaped the area into what you see today.

The remarkable underwater structures provide a complex foundation for magnificent habitats including kelp forests and colourful sponge gardens. Many animals prosper here including seabirds, seals, lobsters, reef fish and sea spiders. The intertidal and shallow subtidal reefs are known to have the greatest diversity of invertebrates on limestone reef in Victoria.

Marine mammals, such as whales, are also known to visit the area. Patient visitors after dark or in the early morning may see Little Penguins which nest in caves below the Twelve Apostles.

Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website.

Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.

Great Ocean RdPort Campbell, VIC, 3269

Located 5.3K from Great Ocean Road

Port Campbell National Park

Port Campbell National Park is world famous for its extraordinary collection of wave-sculpted rock formations and the Twelve Apostles.

Loch Ard Gorge, site of a 19th century shipwreck 'Loch Ard', as well as the Island Archway and London Bridge are other highlights. The Island Archway collapsed in 2009, highlighting the fragile and ever-changing nature of Victoria's coastline.

Discover the heritage of the Shipwreck Coast on short walks such as the Port Campbell Discovery Walk. Take a scenic drives along the Great Ocean Road, stopping at points of interest.

For refreshments visit the kiosk at the Twelve Apostles visitor centre.

Before you go
Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website.

Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.

Great Ocean RoadPort Campbell, VIC, 3269

Located 8.2K from Great Ocean Road

The Arches Marine Sanctuary

Just off the coast near Port Campbell, The Arches Marine Sanctuary protects a remarkable seascape. This area is known for the above water limestone landscape, however 19 to 25 metres below the waves there is a labyrinth of towering limestone canyons, caves, arches and walls. It is these structures which give the park its name. The area is characterised by high energy waves and cool water with flows from the Southern Ocean.

The complex structures beneath the waves provide a foundation for brilliantly coloured seaweeds and sponges to grow on. Due to the shaded underside of the underwater arches, habitats here are typical of those found in the deeper waters of Bass Strait.

Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website.

Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.

Great Ocean RoadPort Campbell, VIC, 3269

Located 8.2K from Great Ocean Road

Craters to Coast Discovery Program

Bring your family to play in natures' greatest theme park. Hunt the roaring wind, navigate for hidden treasure, explore the night sky, track local fauna, learn to read history in rocks and use your detective skills to uncover the secrets of our southern landscapes.

Free year round fun for the whole family. Let us help you rediscover your family's wild side this Spring.

The Craters to Coast Discovery Program loans telescopes, anemometers, GPS units, digital cameras and compasses to explore the region, complete themed activities and earn great prizes along the way. Equipment loan is free of charge, participants are required to provide credit card details and fill out an equipment loan form. All equipment, activity sheets and details are available from the Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre.

26 Morris SteetPort Campbell, VIC, 3269

Located 10.1K from Great Ocean Road

Bay of Islands Coastal Park

This coastal park has outstanding ocean views and geological features. Sheer cliffs and rock stacks dominate the bays, and heathlands display colourful spring wildflowers. Beaches are accessible at some points.

Aboriginal Traditional Owners
Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters. Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria.

Before you go
Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website.

Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.

Great Ocean RoadPeterborough, VIC, 3270

Located 20.3K from Great Ocean Road

Melba Gully

Known as the Jewel of the Otways, Melba Gully is one of the wettest places in the state. The gully has prolific plant growth and is a dense rainforest of Myrtle Beech, Blackwood and Tree-ferns, with an understorey of low ferns and mosses.

Perhaps the most unusual inhabitants of the area are the glow worms, which can be seen at night along the walking tracks.

The 35 minute Madsen's Track Nature Walk departs from the picnic area, providing an adventure into a world of ancient, mossy trees and cool fern gullies.

Picnic tables, a gas barbecue and toilets are provided at this site. Camping is not permitted.

Before you go
Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website.

Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.

Great Ocean RoadLavers Hill, VIC, 3238

Located 23.5K from Great Ocean Road

Great Ocean Road: Travel Tips

Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre

Local, regional and state wide information to help you make the most of your stay. Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre specialises in tailoring itineraries to suit the needs of individuals and industry.

Ask about the fabulous and free award winning Craters to Coast Discovery program. Borrow an eight inch Newtonian Reflector telescope, binoculars or delight the kids with activities like Wind Hunter and Crater Quest.

Visitors are invited to view the wonderful display of artefacts from local wrecks including the Loch Ard, Schomberg, Fiji, Falls of Halladale and Newfield. Read the stories and connect to the tales of heroism and tragedy that are woven into the very fabric of the region.

The Visitor Information Centre chronicles the region daily on social media with daily insights and spectacular regional photography.

Looking for a special souvenir or gift to remember your trip by? Or perhaps a shipwreck book to curl up and read with a glass of local red?

Call in and see them in Port Campbell and let the friendly staff show you why there is so much more than just 12 reasons to stay. Together they will create a holiday to remember.